Faucet system and advertising method

ABSTRACT

A faucet system including: a first set of faucet components including at least a water regulating device and a water dispensing device, wherein the water regulating device and the water dispensing device include advertising indicia of a first theme; a second set of faucet components including at least a water regulating device and a water dispensing device, wherein the water regulating device and the water wherein the first and second set of faucet components are configured to be interchangeably connected to a base.

This application claims priority based upon previously file U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/040,484, filed on Mar. 29, 2008, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a faucet system and related method ofadvertising.

BACKGROUND

Faucets used to regulate and dispense water are typically mounted to asanitary structure such as a sink, washbasin, bathtub, or the like.Faucet systems general include dispensing components that direct theflow of the water and regulating components that control the flow rateand temperature of the water being dispensed. The dispensing componentsand regulating components can be separately mounted to the sanitarystructure or they can be integrally mounted to the sanitary structure asa single unit.

Most of the prior developments in faucet systems relates to improvingthe overall reliability and water dispensing and regulating capabilitiesof such systems. Advancements have also been made relating to theinstallation and maintenance of such systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a faucet system that is configured foradvertising/promotional purposes. A related method of advertising usingfaucets is also provided. In some embodiments the faucet system of thepresent disclosure share features of quick connect faucet systems. Onequick connect faucet system is described in US 20006/0185076 entitled,Faucet Assembly with Integral Water Supply Shut-Off Valve, filed on Feb.23, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.Another quick connect faucet systems is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,328,059 entitled, Top Mounted Faucet Assembly, fled on Mar. 22, 2000,which is also herein incorporate by reference in its entirety.

The faucet systems and methods of the present disclosure areparticularly well suited for use in restrooms in commercial buildingssuch as hotels, sport stadiums, convention centers, restaurants, etc. Inone specific embodiment, the method of advertising includes providingfaucet components for a hotel where the shape of the faucet componentsfall within a theme (e.g., baseball, NASCAR, etc.) and wherein thecomponents can be switched out depending on who is scheduled to stay inthe room (e.g., a professional baseball team, race fans, etc.). Manyother alternative embodiments are also provided which are described indetail below.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its structure and its operation togetherwith the additional object and advantages thereof will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words andphrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art orarts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification willspecifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word orphrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in theDescription of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate adesire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§ 112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s),the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for”and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recitea “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also reciteany structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, thenthe intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended thatthe inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, materialor acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but inaddition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that performthe claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developedequivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimedfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 show a faucet system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, wherein some of the faucet components embody advertisingindicia.

FIGS. 2-7 further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Traditional mediums of advertisements have been billboards, newspapers,and television. There have been developments in these traditionaladvertisement mediums. For example, billboard now often convert to showmore than one image or even include video. However, recently new mediumsand associated methods for advertisement have also been developed. Forexample, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,404,159 to McAbee, which discloses a methodof advertising on the windshield of a motor vehicle, U.S. Pat. No.7,195,155 to Garberg et al., which discloses a method of advertising ona shopping cart, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,210 to Mams, which disclosurerelates to yet another new medium and associated method of advertisinginvolving faucet components.

Faucets have been traditionally understood as being functional itemsthat may have some decorative qualities. The concept described herein ofusing faucet components for advertising challenges this generallyaccepted paradigm.

Faucets embody some of the most important characteristics of a goodmedium for advertising. The functional aspect of a faucet (waterdelivery) draws people to the faucet and holds them captive for periodsof time that are typically long enough for the people using the faucetto recognize the advertisement thereon.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the faucets inpublic or a commercial bathroom can be used as advertisement space. Forexample, in an embodiment of the present disclosure a restaurant couldreceive advertising revenue from a company that has its logo, mascot, orother indicia represented on the faucets in the bathroom of therestaurant.

In another embodiment, the faucets can be used generally for promotionas well. For example, the bathrooms in a baseball stadium can includefaucets that have the mascot, logos, gear relating to baseball, or evenindicia relating to the particular teams that are playing in the stadiumon a particular night. In some embodiment, a stadium may include anumber of different theme faucets that can be switched out depending onthe event that is being hosted. For example, if the stadium isreconfigured to host a monster truck show, the faucets therein can beswitched out to be representative of monster trucks or truck accessories(i.e., trucks, wheels, steering wheels, etc.). If the same stadium isused to host a football game, the faucets can be replaced with indiciarepresentative of football generally or the specific football team(helmets, mascots, footballs, etc.). It should be appreciated that inmany embodiments the faucets can be use for promotion as well asadvertisement. For the purpose of the present disclosure the terms andconcepts are used interchangeably herein.

In some embodiments, faucet configurations are intended to remainconstant for an extended period of time. However, in many othercontexts, the faucet configurations are intended to be changed often.Some of such embodiments are described above. In such contexts thefaucets can be configured to mate with a quick connect base that allowsthe faucet components to be changed without accessing the under side ofthe sink or other sanitary structure. For a description of a quickconnect base see U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,059 which has been incorporated byreference herein. In some embodiments, the faucet components can beattached to the faucet base without manually shutting off the water. Fora description of a base with an integral shut off valve see US20006/0185076, which has also been incorporated by reference herein.

An example of an embodiment where it is desirable to change the faucetconfiguration often can be, for example, the faucets at a conventioncenter. If the convention center is hosting a car show the faucets caninclude indicia relating to motor vehicles (miniature cars, car parts,manufacturer's logos, etc.). If the convention center is hosting acomputer convention, the faucets can be changed to embody the corporatelogos and devices of the computer manufacturers. Likewise, if theconvention center is hosting a convention relating to televisionprograms or media, the faucets may be representative of characters inthe television or movie.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure isillustrated. The system of the depicted embodiment includes a quickconnect base 10. The base is configured to mate with a number ofdifferent faucet configurations. A faucet configuration 12 includes adisplay 40. In one embodiment, the display 40 is a small video screenthat can be used to display digital images or video. The video contentcould in some embodiments be preloaded and in other embodiments betransmitted to the display 40 in real time. In another embodiment thedisplay 40 could be a fixed image or a holographic image. In addition,three specific embodiments of faucets 14, 22, 32, components withoutadvertising indicia are also shown to illustrate that a faucet withadvertisement and promotional indicia can be integrated with standardfaucets as well.

One embodiment of a faucet 36 with unique artistic qualities absentadvertising indicia is also shown to illustrate that the system of thepresent disclosure can be used with non-standard faucets that are notnecessarily designed for advertisement. The faucet 36 may be used incontext where new and changing faucet components are desirable for otherreasons other than for traditionally advertisement purposes. Forexample, artistic faucets like faucet 36 may be desirable in an artmuseum where the faucets can be changed to complement the displayedexhibits.

Embodiments of faucets 16, 18, 20, 34 that included indiciarepresentative of television or movie characters are also shown. In thefaucet configuration referenced by numbers 16, 18, and 20 represent aset of faucet components that are configured to work together. Faucetcomponent 16 controls the flow of hot water, faucet component 20controls the flow of cold water, and faucet component 18 dispenses thewater. The depicted embodiments can, for example, be particularlydesirable at a child care facility, a retail store selling Disneyrelated merchandise, or a theater featuring a Disney movie. Asillustrated above, the same faucets used in different context can havedifferent effects. The method of advertising described herein isintended to encompass a method of general promotion. It should also beappreciated that the system and apparatus provided herein are intendedto be directed at the devices notwithstanding the context or purpose forwhich the faucets are used.

Sports related faucet embodiments 24, 26, 28, 30 are also illustrated.The embodiment of the set of faucet components 24, 26, 28 are intendedto work together. Faucet components 24, 28 regulate flow and temperatureand faucet component 26 directs the flow. In the depicted embodiment thetheme is broadly sports, more narrowly baseball, and even more narrowlybaseball equipment. It should be appreciated that in an alternativeembodiment, the theme could also be team specific, for example, it couldrepresent the mascot and colors of the team or even a representation ofkey players on the team. In should be appreciated that many otheralternative embodiments are also possible. For example, an alternativeembodiment may embody a golf theme where the faucet is in the shape of adriver and the regulating component(s) are in the shape of putters orother golf related equipment.

The faucet 30 illustrates yet another embodiment that is sports related.The depicted embodiment can be desirable, for example, in a restroom atthe race track or hotel in the areas that are hosting the race. In oneembodiment of the present disclosure the faucet systems are use in ahotel. The hotel collects information regarding the expected guests andcustomizes the faucets in the room based on the collected information ofthe guest's characteristics. For example, the hotel may determine thatplayers from a particular professional basket ball team will be stayingin particular rooms of the hotel. The hotel can customize the faucetscomponent in those rooms to include basketball related indicia. In someembodiment, the indicia can include team specific indicia (e.g., teamcolors, team numbers, or team mascots). The hotels could alternativelyidentify that it will be hosting a group of doctors who are in town foran annual convention. The hotel could sell the advertisement space ofits faucets to medical device or pharmaceutical companies who want theiradvertisements to be displayed on the faucets in the hotel rooms.

It should be appreciated that similar custom promotion and advertisementcan be applied in many other contexts outside of the hotel context. Insome embodiments the faucets can include an audio context as well. Forexample, the faucet could be configured to provide a message to thefaucet users such as instruction to a child to brush his or her teeth.The audio content could be an advertisement/promotional in nature. Forexample, the faucets in a casino may announce wins at certain slotmachines in real time. In should also be appreciated that someembodiments may include more than one theme in a single set of faucetcomponents (e.g., baseball regulator components with a coca cola bottleshaped dispenser).

Referring to FIGS. 2-7 additional views and alternative embodiments areillustrated. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment where the faucets embody indiciarelating to beer. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment where the faucets embodyindicia relating to a particular type of soft drink. FIGS. 4-5 showembodiments including indicia relating to golf equipment (irons/woods)as well as corporate logos.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrate an embodiment include indicia relatingto a race car. It should be appreciated that many other embodiment arealso possible.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in theDrawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While thesedescriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understoodthat those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/orvariations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Anysuch modifications or variations that fall within the purview of thisdescription are intended to be included therein as well. Unlessspecifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the wordsand phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s).The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of theinvention known to the applicant at the time of filing the applicationhas been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in the light of the above teachings. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application and to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A method of advertising comprising the step of. connecting a faucetcomponent that includes advertising indicia thereon to a sanitaryfixture.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting thefaucet component based on the advertising indicia and based oninformation about those who are expected to use the faucet.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising the step of collecting informationabout the expected faucet users.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thesanitary fixture is a sink, the advertising indicia embodies a sportsrelated theme, and an expected user of the faucet is a hotel guest. 5.The method of claim 2, wherein faucets with advertising indicia thatembody images associated with a specific organization are located in thehotel room reserved for a member of the organization.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the specific organization is a sport team and theindicia includes the team logo.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein thespecific organization is a corporation and the indicia includes acorporate logo.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein sanitary fixture is asink and wherein the faucet is connected to the sink without accessingan underside of the sink.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the faucetis connected to the sink without manually shutting off the water flow tothe sink.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertising indiciaresemble miniature recognizable objects.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the advertising indicia are faucet components shaped to resemblesporting equipment.
 12. A faucet system including: a first set of faucetcomponents including at least a water regulating device and a waterdispensing device, wherein the water regulating device and the waterdispensing device include advertising indicia of a first theme; a secondset of faucet components including at least a water regulating deviceand a water dispensing device, wherein the water regulating device andthe water wherein the first and second set of faucet components areconfigured to be interchangeably connected to a base.
 13. The faucetsystem of claim 12, wherein one of the first or second themes relates toa sporting activity.
 14. The faucet system of claim 12, wherein one ofthe first or second themes relates to a cartoon.
 15. The faucet systemof claim 12, wherein one of the first or second themes relates to acorporate brand.
 16. The faucet system of claim 12, further comprising abase that provides a quick connect interface between a sink and the setof faucet components, wherein the base is configured to interchangeablyconnect to the first and second set of faucet components.
 17. A faucetfor advertising comprising: a water dispensing component including aninlet and an outlet, a water regulating component configured to regulatethe flow of water and the temperature of the water that is dispensedfrom the water dispensing component, wherein the dispensing component isconfigured to resemble a first recognizable object and wherein theregulating component is shaped to resemble a second recognizable. 18.The faucet of claim 17, wherein the dispensing components are configuredto be connected to a quick connect base member accessible from on anupper surface of a sink.
 19. The faucet of claim 17, wherein the firstand second objects resembles sport related objects, cartoon charactersor vehicle components.